Tänak: “We just had to be more courageous”

Ott Tänak had good hopes of offering a double to M-Sport au Rally Monte-Carlo, but the Estonian had to settle for the last step of the podium after encountering engine problems on the first special of the last stage while only running on 3 cylinders.

The driver of the Ford Fiesta WRC despite everything, benefited from favorable circumstances with the cancellation of SS16 and snowy conditions in the Power Stage limiting his handicap, but it was above all his attack which allowed him to stay in the top three.

“Everyone knows that Monte-Carlo is difficult, but it made things a little more difficult for us, commented Ott Tänak at a press conference. We may have had a little more stress in the last few hours. Despite everything, we were lucky with our choice of tires, the snow helped us with very delicate conditions. We lacked power, but it didn't make much difference. We simply had to be more courageous on the descent of the pass (in the Power Stage). »

Ott Tänak also admitted to being surprised by his performance over the entire weekend.

“I was surprised by my pace, added the Estonian. I don't usually like the change in conditions, but I felt pretty comfortable behind the wheel from the shakedown. We have a good base on the car and a fairly significant margin for improvement. »

Discover the analysis of the Monte-Carlo Rally carried out by our special correspondents in issue 2098 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.